ver the past few months, Netflix has been churning out high-quality true-crime documentaries that reiterate some of the known facts about famous events, while also providing the victims featured in these documentaries some form of closure. Jimmy Savile: a British Horror Story, a two-part series, follows this same trend.

The documentary opens up with a clip from Savile’s show, Jim’ll Fix It, where he explains that he gets about 9,000 letters a week asking him to ‘fix’ things. The camera cuts to children reading their letters, with one of them asking Jimmy to ‘fix it’ so he can fly around like Peter Pan. Following which, children can be seen flying around on camera with the help of stunt equipment. With different narrators singing his praises, calling him a “conjurer”, “public property” and questioning, “how can anyone do this much good?” Archival footage of Savile receiving awards from Prince Charles and Margaret Thatcher plays in the background. Even Charles remarks, “How on earth do you raise 10 million pounds in three years?”

Exploring the extent of Savile’s fame and influence, as well as the fact that he rubbed shoulders with the most powerful people in Britain at the time, is an interesting way for the producer to set up the story. It also explains why it was so easy for him to hide in plain sight, being untouchable, as even the BBC turned a blind eye to reports of his horrific conduct.

The three-hour run-time is full of footage and testimonials. It follows the chronological order of his professional endeavours; first as a DJ, then becoming the BBC’s poster boy for Top of the Pops, all the way to hosting his own show, Jim’ll Fix It. However, his career doesn’t end there. He enjoys continued demand for TV appearances even after retirement. His post-retirement popularity was especially bolstered by the extent of charity work, which included raising millions for various causes, with Stoke Mandeville Hospital being a famous example. Furthermore, his charitable efforts are what made him infallible in the public eye, as he had personal friendships with Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles. The latter went to Savile for PR advice so he could better relate to the average ‘working’ man.

Perhaps the most significant purpose of this documentary has been to give back some dignity to Sam Brown, allowing her to tell her story as a victim, and letting her have the last word. As she recounts the sickening abuse in detail, which is one of the hardest parts to watch in this series, the producers trade sensationalism for a more compassionate retelling of the victim’s story. 

As Savile hid in plain sight, with people often laughing at his ‘jokes’ about his inner darkness, or how he hoped that charity work would lead to forgiveness for his sins, very rarely did the public really see him for the monster that he was. However, one glaring moment in the documentary provides viewers some insight into his infested mind. In another snippet of archive footage, a reporter can be seen following him around as he runs through the UK to raise money for charity. The reporter asks him if running is a form of punishment for himself and he says no, replying, “The only time you need to punish yourself is when you’re with young ladies… you’re such a villain and you’re not kind to them and you squeeze them and make them go ouch!” The reporter is perplexed. This is one of the few moments where Savile’s facade begins to crack.

As rumours began to circulate about his crimes, Meirion Jones, a journalist for the BBC finally found some victims willing to come forward with their testimonies. However, his NewsNight investigation was dropped by the BBC to save face, burying Savile’s abuse and sexual assault of children and adults. The extent of his crimes was later covered by ITV, a BBC rival, and became one of the biggest stories in Britain to date.

The investigation of his atrocities spanning across 50 years of abuse and assault in over 50 schools, hospitals and orphanages in the UK, came almost 10 years after his death. This documentary puts the pieces together in a way that truly makes it a horror story.

Perhaps the most significant purpose of this documentary has been to give back some dignity to Sam Brown, allowing her to tell her story as a victim, and letting her have the last word. As she recounts the sickening abuse in detail, which is one of the hardest parts to watch in this series, the producers trade sensationalism for a more compassionate retelling of the victim’s story.

While the documentary is structured well and largely aims to present facts as they are rather than turning them into superficial sensational fodder, it was still difficult to watch due to the harrowing amount of pain, misery and trauma inflicted by Savile. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

The author is a staff member.